THE GATE KEEPERS
Text: 1 Chronicles 9:17-27
INTRODUCTION:
1. A mentally deranged man opens fire in a parking lot in Arizona, killing six
people and wounding fourteen others. The killing ends only because some-
one knocked the gun out of his hand as he stops to reload.
A man on a subway in New York City jumps onto the tracks in front of a fast-
moving train, risking his life to save the life of another.
A plane is high-jacked by Muslim terrorists and is headed to Washington,
D.C. on a suicide mission. A handful of men sacrifice their lives to prevent
many causalities.
2. All these stories have one thing in common; ordinary people doing heroic.
deeds because they felt deeply responsible for their fellow man.
3. I'm convinced that few Christians realize their extreme importance in the
kingdom of God. Why would not God immediately translate the Christian
to heaven the moment after salvation, if it were not for the fact that they
have an important part in God's plan to save mankind from destruction?
Our part in God's plan of redemption should not be under estimated. Our
role may seem of little significance to us. But it is of great significance in
the eyes of God. If we are diligent and faithful in doing our part, souls will be
eternally saved. In fact, we will be heroes!
4. The Duties and Service of the Levites provide an excellent example of the
Christian's extremely important role in God's glorious work of building His
Kingdom...
I. KEEPERS OF THE KING
1. One of the Levite's duties was to guard the King. The eastern gate in the
wall of Jerusalem was known as, 'The King's Gate'. It was the only gate
that he would use to enter the city. The Levites guarded these gates both
day and night, seven days a week. The King also had his own private
entrance way to the temple. The Levites kept guard here as well.
Today, the eastern gate is sealed shut. It will not open again until the
Jew's Messiah comes to reign over the nation as their King.
(Illustration): Several years ago, as I was traveling through Memphis, TN. I
passed by the former mansion of Elvis Presley. I noticed that at
the gates, there was a guard's house, once occupied to make sure that no
one could harm the 'King'.
Many kings have lived and died on this earth. But Jesus Christ, the King of
all kings, lives forever! Those who claim to be His servants, should feel duty
bound to protect His name, His honor, and His kingdom. We do this by....
(1) Staying Awake and Alert.
(2) Being fully Armed.
(3) Conducting our self with Integrity.
(4) Being Strong and Courageous.
(5) Being totally Consecrated.
II. KEEPERS OF GOD'S HOUSE
1. The Levites guarded the entrance gates to make sure no unclean thing
could enter.
2. They guided the worshiper to assure that everything was done according
to the law.
3. They attended to the necessities of God's house.
(1) They baked or fried the peace offerings.
(2) They kept fresh bread on the Priest's table.(The table of show bread)
(3) They kept the lamps filled with oil.
(4) They made spices for incense and oils.
(5) They examined the goats and sheep offered for sacrifice.
(6) They guarded the Holy of Holy room.
(7) They guarded and kept inventory of the vessels of gold, silver, and
bronze. And the temple's treasury.
Keep in mind that the Levites were servants. They would not be numbered
with the, 'Rich and Famous'. Yet, it is obvious how important they were. Their
duties would not be considered prestigious by most. But God's program for
forgiveness of sins, and acceptable worship, could not have carried on with-
out them.
4. King David spoke of his love for God's house in Psalm 84:10:
"I had rather lie at the threshold (as the lame man at the temple gate; Acts
3:2, or; as the poor in the synagogue, James 2:3) in the house of my God,
than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. For that is an abiding house; how-
ever low my position in it. These are but shifting tents, though one have a
dwelling in them". ( Paraphrase is from Fausset's Commentary.)
III. KEEPERS OF THE CITY
1. The walls of Jerusalem had four gates by which the city could be entered.
The north, south, east, and west sides of the city, each had one gate.
The gates were carefully guarded by the Levites so that an enemy could not
enter.
2. This is a picture of the Christian's ministry of intercession, personal
witnessing, and mission endeavors.
(1) Ezekiel 3:16-17-"..I have made you a watchman.."
(2) Matthew 24:43-"Know this, that if the master of the house had known
what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed
his house to be broken into". Verse 44-"Therefore, you also be ready, for
the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Matthew Henry said: "If the master of the house had notice that a thief would
come such a night, and such a watch of the night.(For
they divided the night into four watches, allowing three hours each), and would
make an attempt upon his house, though it were the midnight watch, when he
was the most sleepy, yet he would be up, and listen to every noise in every
corner, and be ready to meet him."
3. Yes, dear Brother's and Sister's in Christ, we are God's watchmen! The thief
could not enter the house without first, entering into the city. The death angel
entered Egypt, then proceed to every house to slay all who were not protected
by the blood of the lamb! We must be more than only concerned for ourselves.
We must by our fervent praying, and anointed witnessing, and generous
support of those who take the gospel to all the nations on earth; warn of
coming destruction and show the way of salvation. If we don't, blood will be
on our hands. Each one of us can make a difference. For example, we have
in our Bible, recorded in 2 King, chapter five, the remarkable story of a little
slave girl, whose duties consisted of keeping the house, answering the door,
and perhaps, opening and closing the gates. She lived in the house of a very
powerful and influential man. His name was, Naaman. She could have chosen
to remain silent, mind her own business, and do nothing when she heard
about Naaman's leprosy. But bravely, and boldly, she told him about her God!
Only God knows how many souls in Naaman's city and nation came to put
their faith and trust in the one and only, Most High God, as a result!
IV. KEEPERS OF OUR HOUSE
1. 1 Corinthian's 6:19- says that the Christian's body is the temple where the
Holy Spirit lives.The verse goes on to declare that God
will not abide in a temple that is unclean.
2. As we have pointed out, the Levites bore the responsibility of guarding the
gates of the temple to keep out all that was unclean. God's presence abode
in the inner sanctuary of the temple. Whenever the temple became defiled,
God's presence departed. God hates a dirty temple! It provokes Him to anger.
Remember that Jesus once made a whip and used it to drive out those who
had defiled the temple!
Now, with these somber thoughts in mind, I want you to follow me in the
scriptures as I read from Luke, chapter eleven, verses twenty four through
twenty six:
(24)"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through
dry places seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will
return to my house from which I came'.
(25)"And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order.
26) Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more
wicked than Himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the
last state of that man is worse than the first."
It is very obvious to me, that Jesus is referring to a man's soul and the need for
the man to be diligent on his part, to care for it. The evil spirit was able to re-
enter the man's house(soul) for two primary reasons:
(1) He found it empty.
Had the house been occupied when the evil spirit returned, he would have found
it difficult, if not impossible, to enter. If a man's soul has the Holy Spirit living in
him, the wicked one see's this and runs away!
(2) He found it unguarded.
In oriental countries, the wealthy would surround their homes with walls, and
post guards at the gates. It is so in many cases in modern times. The wealthy
are careful and diligent to protect their valuable possessions. Home invasions
have currently reached an all time high. Millions of people are careful to keep
their doors and windows locked at night, and even through out the day.
Neighbor hood watches have been established in hundreds of areas of the
cities of America. Multitudes of people have purchased guns and keep them
loaded and close by, 'just in case'.
Conclusion:
Dear Christian, we know that we are living in the last days. Satan means
business whether we do or not. This message is a call for watchfulness,
and a plea for consecrated living. Satan seeks to corrupt the gospel, destroy
the meaning of true worship, render us ineffective in our witnessing, and
pollute our souls. Satan seeks to rock us asleep so that we will be caught
by surprise at our Lord's return. Satan desires that there will be no anointing
upon our lives, no fervency in our prayers, no burden on our heart for lost souls,
no joy in our hearts, no song of praise on our lips, and no service on our minds.
Satan desires no light to shine. He desires barren alters. The wicked one seeks
to reduce the temple of God to nothing more than dirt, ashes, and rubble.
What will you do to prevent him from succeeding? Will you determine with
your whole heart to be a gate keeper?
-The End.
For comments, questions, or preaching engagements; you may write me at:
mb72647@ g mail.com. Thanks for reading!
